8 Great Libraries for Your Zoom Background

Whether you’re a librarian doing storytimes from your couch or a library fan missing in-person visits, here are eight photos of light, bright, and beautiful libraries to ensure that next time you go on camera, the library’s behind you all the way.

With so many staying home right now to flatten the curve of COVID-19, tiny glimpses of others’ lives on web conferencing software can be part of the fun, especially when cute pets and kids—or bookshelves—are involved. But not everyone feels comfortable sharing their private space, especially with larger gatherings that include strangers. And some just like to change things up. For them, services like Zoom that allow photos to be inserted as virtual backgrounds allow the fun option to speak from space, under the ocean—or from the library.

Whether you’re a librarian doing storytimes from your couch or a library fan missing in-person visits, here are eight photos of light, bright, and beautiful libraries to ensure that next time you go on camera, the library’s behind you all the way.

(Don’t worry, library copyright experts—they’re all licensed for reuse!)

New to Zoom? Us too. Here’s how to turn on virtual backgrounds from Good Morning America.

 

The Sky’s the limit at the George Peabody Library at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University, where six majestic floors are topped with a skylight. After your meeting you can even take a virtual tour on Google Maps

Photo by Patrick Gillespie, CC-BY
 

But why stay so close to home when miles aren’t an issue? The southern reading room of the National Library of Finland, Helsinki, is a bright beautiful destination

Photo by Marit Henriksson, CC BY-SA
 

Books and architecture aren’t the only attraction at the Strahov Library in a Prague monastery – the art on the ceiling is the main event. And if you’re planning an armchair vacation to the Czech Republic, don’t forget the Klementium, modestly billed as the most beautiful library in the world!

Photo by Lenka Libertová, Pixabay license
 

If you’re worried that the books might escape, the Long Library at England’s Blenheim Palace is for you. There’s good reason for the protection, though: The building was used as a dormitory for Malvern College boys in the Second World War, and tour guides inform visitors that they used to play cricket in this room. Not pictured: the giant pipe organ.

Photo by Charlene Newcomb, CC BY-SA
 

Missing the outside?

The National Library of Poland has it all—blue sky, freshly manicured grass, colorful, mythic, modern sculpture, and historic architecture

Photo by Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA
 

Out-of-towners are often surprised to discover that this iconic view of Missouri’s Kansas City Public Library is actually the parking structure, not the main building. But it’s still a perfect view to park yourself in front of.

Photo by Dean Hochman, CC-BY
 

The Secret Garden at the UK’s recently built Library of Birmingham is on the roof, offering a view of the city as well as a green getaway.

Photo by Teresa Grau Ros, CC BY-SA
 

Want to keep the scale a little more accessible or just encourage viewers to #StayHome? Sometimes the best library is the Little Free Library in your own front yard, or a neighbor’s.

Photo by Linnaea Mallette, publicdomainpictures.net

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Michael Mason

I know, The great libraries of the ancient world served as archives for empires, sanctuaries for sacred writings, and depositories of literature and chronicles. Great Libraries Offer a Broad Mix of Community Services. http://www.psglending.com

Posted : Feb 14, 2021 06:19


PSG Rehab Loans

This is so really great and learning post.

Posted : Jan 03, 2021 06:39


Jeffery Barbour

I'm a campus librarian and really liked the amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing!

Posted : Dec 30, 2020 03:18


Liz Martin

I’d definitely like to do this for our book club zoom calls

Posted : Dec 25, 2020 07:29


Dean Anderson

Where do I click to download the picture of a library? I can't find it.

Posted : Oct 24, 2020 10:53


Terrance Baker

So wonderful. So special.Thank you.

Posted : Sep 24, 2020 11:46


Loida Gonzalez

I am a teacher and I appreciate these beautiful backgrounds. Thanks for sharing.

Posted : Aug 22, 2020 02:59


Janine Macris

Thanks

Posted : May 01, 2020 10:54


LJ User

These are great but don't turn out well when I try to upload. Could someone offer suggestions?

Posted : Apr 25, 2020 09:08


mary lemmenes

What a great idea to give the learners more of an idea of what the world of books can look like beyond what their own small area has.

Posted : Apr 25, 2020 02:56


Tammie Charlton

Thank you for sharing these beautiful Library backgrounds. I am not very comfortable sharing visual images from home.

Posted : Apr 25, 2020 01:39


Pamela Penney

Thank you for these options. How do I attach the Kansas City Library photo to my
Zoom account?

Posted : Apr 24, 2020 12:36


Leslie Greer

These are lovely! Thank you for sharing.

Posted : Apr 19, 2020 05:36


OSIYO AGAMA ( MS )

HAPPY TO BE LOGGED IN . MOST INFORMATIVE FOR ME, AS AN E - LIBRARIAN .

Posted : Apr 19, 2020 03:23


Megan H

Thanks for making these available! As these are very small images and aren't vector files, they look extremely pixelated when scaled up for a Zoom background. Do you have larger versions you could link to?

Posted : Apr 17, 2020 02:31


Karen Carver

can't wait to use them!

Posted : Apr 16, 2020 09:53


Rick H

This is a nice way to show off libraries but, seems like a really strange article given the huge push to get away from the Zoom client and its security vulnerabilities. In fact, I'd say it boarders on distasteful because of how horribly Zoom has been collecting and selling data on its users, while libraries promote freedom.

Posted : Apr 16, 2020 06:25


L Lakari

Fun article. Two typos that you might want to correct: Blenheim Palace and Helsinki

Posted : Apr 15, 2020 08:45


Harriet Hill

Thank you for bringing this topic up and for the great Zoom background ideas. I really don't want to share my private space.

Posted : Apr 14, 2020 02:32


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